Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[AustinT]

What are the exact numbers then?

And how could they be at break even before they've entered a marketing cycle for the second part and spent the money?

Right now the second movie is sitting nearly $320m behind the first one, Zootopia 2 is doing gangbusters and Avatar is less than two weeks away

Glad someone else is bringing up box office. Safe space to talk about it now?
This second movie is dropping like a rock week to week. This kind of drop off usually scares studios away from continuing a franchise (Secret Life of Pets for example, but not quite that much of a sequel falloff) but I feel like they're certainly going to make another Wicked film, when the inevitable land is going to open. It'll be interesting to see if they can maintain the GP's engagement with the brand in the next few years or if this is a sign of Wicked fatigue.

If the Wicked store at USF hangs around, that would also make a nice preview center of sorts if there's a big, flashy Epic expansion coming in the near future.

 

[Frogki]

Glad someone else is bringing up box office. Safe space to talk about it now?
This second movie is dropping like a rock week to week. This kind of drop off usually scares studios away from continuing a franchise (Secret Life of Pets for example, but not quite that much of a sequel falloff) but I feel like they're certainly going to make another Wicked film, when the inevitable land is going to open. It'll be interesting to see if they can maintain the GP's engagement with the brand in the next few years or if this is a sign of Wicked fatigue.

If the Wicked store at USF hangs around, that would also make a nice preview center of sorts if there's a big, flashy Epic expansion coming in the near future.

To reiterate what's been said by myself and others - Universal likely knew Wicked for Good would not have the same kind of reception or numbers as Part 1, because it's story is a dramatic tone shirt.

Wicked Part 1 had a ton of repeat viewings, and the franchise itself is still likely to be pretty strong. There's just a fascination with Oz and that fantasy world somewhere over the rainbow that goes back nearly a century now based on the original books and the original film.

Whether that translates into future success depends on the strength of whatever stories they choose to tell next.
If you give a Wicked land the Potter treatment and avoid setting the place within a specific timeframe but are highly specific about your attractions time and place within the story, you have a recipe for success.

And to be honest, I wouldn't have believed this before last year even as a Wicked fan - but Part 1 was pretty amazing as far as word of mouth and general reception.

 

[Tyc00n96]

Ive been waiting for this lol lots of good stuff in here especially that transportation system

 

[Mad Dog]

Ive been waiting for this lol lots of good stuff in here especially that transportation system

Yes, me too. After seeing all of those mostly empty, except for very early morning and closing, hotel buses every 15 minutes to Epic,
I'm speculating it's costing Universal a small fortune to operate.

 

[belloq87]

Ive been waiting for this lol lots of good stuff in here especially that transportation system

That potential broomstick ride for Wizarding World (tracked, through and above city street sets, with creatures) would be absolutely fantastic. A little Kongfrontation-esque.

 

[Tyc00n96]

Yes, me too. After seeing all of those mostly empty, except for very early morning and closing, hotel buses every 15 minutes to Epic,
I'm speculating it's costing Universal a small fortune to operate.

I am not privy to how much the busses get used on a day to day capacity wise but I look at a long-term transportation system as something to future proof the resort in the eventual case they expand beyond the current amount of parks. Going back to Epic expansions though, it is exciting to see that Potter's permit has an end date on it as well as getting the chance to have two projects begin around the same time (Nintendo),

 

[Frogki]

I am curious about the general distaste for Wicked in the comments section for Alicia, I know that some aren't fans but I just can't understand the insistence that this franchise which has been around for over a decade now and has really ascended further with the first film (even with an admittedly lesser showing for the sequel) is being dismissed as trendy or irrelevant.

Not speaking as a fan of that franchise but as a theme park enthusiast, I see a really great opportunity for a fun and immersive land. And while it's anecdotal, I personally know a significant number of people who would definitely not consider themselves "Broadway" or "musical" folks - and they loved the first one. Defying Gravity strikes an emotional chord with most people.

I strongly believe that a land would be met with pretty high enthusiasm from the general public.
I do see the criticism of "It's not really Oz, it's fanfiction," but I don't see how that's relevant to a themed land. The Emerald City, at the end of the day, will remain that really fun fantasy environment that people want to get lost in.

Highly interested in seeing what ride concept they come up with for brooms, as it's definitely one of the wish fulfilment attractions within that franchise. Also really curious about what ends up replacing F&F, as even the GP seems to recognize that attraction as one of the lesser in Universal's lineup.

 

[Mad Dog]

I am curious about the general distaste for Wicked in the comments section for Alicia, I know that some aren't fans but I just can't understand the insistence that this franchise which has been around for over a decade now and has really ascended further with the first film (even with an admittedly lesser showing for the sequel) is being dismissed as trendy or irrelevant.

Not speaking as a fan of that franchise but as a theme park enthusiast, I see a really great opportunity for a fun and immersive land. And while it's anecdotal, I personally know a significant number of people who would definitely not consider themselves "Broadway" or "musical" folks - and they loved the first one. Defying Gravity strikes an emotional chord with most people.

I strongly believe that a land would be met with pretty high enthusiasm from the general public.
I do see the criticism of "It's not really Oz, it's fanfiction," but I don't see how that's relevant to a themed land. The Emerald City, at the end of the day, will remain that really fun fantasy environment that people want to get lost in.

Highly interested in seeing what ride concept they come up with for brooms, as it's definitely one of the wish fulfilment attractions within that franchise. Also really curious about what ends up replacing F&F, as even the GP seems to recognize that attraction as one of the lesser in Universal's lineup.

The Theme Park hardcore fan community opinions are often very much out of synch with the general public. I generally try to think like the
GP, and the business aspects, instead of as a fan. I rely a lot on my wife's opinions when we go to the parks. She's a blank slate on
what's occurring until the day she shows up....I agree with your valuations. If the attractions are good, the general public will eat up
a Wicked land.